Drove up Cone Peak Road 5.1 miles to the marked trailhead (next time I'll park at the first turnout at 4 miles and hike the road to the trail, as the road gets tougher to drive from there). Had a couple visitors from the East Coast, and the views did not disappoint. Clear day, almost no fog, incredible views!

Hiked all the way up Cone Peak Road (6 miles), then about 0.75mi into the Ventana Wilderness, then cut west up to North Ridge, scrambled it all the way to summit.

Generally rotten rock, but at least the brush at this elevation wasn't bad and there appeared to be a use trail in places. Kept it to class 2-3-ish bypassing some of towers. Descended via the summit trail. ~13 miles / 3000' for the day, which was clear but windy (a storm passed through yesterday).

In past years I've come up via Cone Peak road or Trail Spring numerous times. Always a fun way to top off a trip to the south Ventana !

Nice and easy hike up along the Cone Peak Trail. Simply spectacular views of the Big Sur Coast from the summit. Hiked in spring when the ticks were out in full force - pulled several off of me along the way up.

A long dayhike from Vicente to the ridge road, then up to the summit. Descended on the ill-defined Gamboa "trail" (I use that term lightly here). Thousands of ticks on every bush and tree. A 25mi adventure that dumped us out on SR 1 over 3mi from our car.

On a plant collecting trip I was able to finally make my dream come true. It was all clouds on the way up until summit break. With the grandest views i have ever seen. Watched the sun go down and the almost full moon come up. Favorite peak experience yet.